Colorectal cancer liver metastases: laparoscopic and open radiofrequency-assisted surgery

Introduction: The liver is the most common site of colorectal metastases (colorectal liver metastases – CLM). Surgical treatment in combination with oncological therapy is the only potentially curative method. Unfortunately, only 10–25% of patients are suitable for surgery. Traditionally, open liver resection (OLR) is usually performed. However, laparoscopic liver resection (LLR) has become popular worldwide in the last two decades. Aim: To evaluate the effectiveness and benefits of radiofrequency minor LLR of CLM in comparison with OLR. Material and methods: The indication for surgery was CLM and the possibility to perform minor laparoscopic or OLR not exceeding two hepatic segments according to Couinaud’s classification. Results: Sixty-six minor liver resections for CLM were performed. Twenty-five (37.9%) patients underwent a laparoscopic approach and 41 (62.1%) patients underwent OLR. The mean operative time was 166.4 min for LLR and 166.8 min for OLR. Average blood loss was 132.3 ±218.0 ml during LLR and 149.5 ±277.5 ml during OLR. Length of hospital stay was 8.4 ±2.0 days for LLR and 10.5 ±5.8 days for OLR. All resections were R0. There was no case of mortality. Postoperative complications were recognized in 9 (13.6%) patients: 8 in the group of OLR patients and 1 in the LLR group. The median survival time for LLR was 70.5 months and for OLR 61.9 months. The 5-year overall survival rate was higher for LLR vs. OLR – 82.1% vs. 69.8%. The average length of disease-free interval after LLR was greater (52.2 months) in comparison with OLR (49.4%). The 5-year disease-free interval was 63.2% for LLR and 58% for OLR. Conclusions: Outcomes and oncological radicality of minor laparoscopic liver resections of CLM are comparable to outcomes of OLR.Web of Science10221220

Impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic on the management of acute peptic ulcer perforation: to be reconsidered(?)

OBJECTIVE: Peptic ulcer perforation presents the most serious complication of ulcer disease with mortality that varies significantly depending on the age and conditions. The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic was effective worldwide in 2020 and continues to date. The aim of this study was to investigate the initial clinical parameters and short-term outcomes of patients with acute peptic ulcer perforation before and during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted in the Department of Surgery, University Hospital Ostrava, Czech Republic. The patients undergoing surgical modality of a simple suture of peptic ulcer perforation with/without omentoplasty in the post-coronavirus disease 2019 (January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2021) and the pre-coronavirus disease 2019 (January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2019) had been incorporated in this study. RESULTS: This study included a total of 46 cases (26 in the pre-coronavirus disease 2019, 20 in the post-coronavirus disease 2019). The age, body mass index, Boey score, duration of symptoms, surgery time, and length of hospital stay were comparable in both study subgroups. During the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, patients were admitted with a statistically significantly lower degree of perioperative risk according to the American Society of Anesthesiologists classification (p=0.013). Notably, 30-day postoperative morbidity was significantly higher in pre-coronavirus disease 2019 (73.1 vs. 55.0%, p=0.038). The mortality rate in the laparoscopic group was 13.6%, in the laparotomy group 41.4%, and the mortality rate was higher in pre-coronavirus disease 2019 than in post-coronavirus disease 2019 (34.6 vs. 20.0%, p=0.166). CONCLUSION: In fact, the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic had not significantly influenced therapeutic management and short-term outcomes of patients undergoing acute surgical repair of peptic ulcer perforation

Obesity in cases undergoing the surgical procedure of lung lobectomy: risk or benefit?

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of body mass index on patients’ short-term results following lung lobectomy. METHODS: In this retrospective study, we compared the perioperative and short-term postoperative results of obese (BMI≥30 kg/m2) versus nonobese patients (BMI<30 kg/m2) who underwent anatomical lung resection for cancer. The two groups had the same distribution of input risk factors and the same ratio of surgical approaches (thoracoscopy vs. thoracotomy). RESULTS: The study included a total of 144 patients: 48 obese and 96 non-obese patients. Both groups had the same ratio of thoracoscopic vs. thoracotomy approach (50/50%), and were comparable in terms of demographics and clinical data. The g roups did not significantly differ in the frequency of perioperative or postoperative complications. Postoperative morbidity was higher among non-obese patients (34.4 vs. 27.1%), but this difference was not statistically significant (p=0.053). Hospital stay was similar in both study groups (p=0.100). Surgery time was significantly longer among obese patients (p=0.133). Postoperative mortality was comparable between the study groups (p=0.167). CONCLUSIONS: Obesity does not increase the frequency of perioperative and postoperative complications in patients after lung lobectomy. The slightly better results in obese patients suggest that obesity may have some protective role. © 2022 Associacao Medica Brasileira. All rights reserved.MZ ČR – RVO-FNOs/201

New semi-spherical radiofrequency energy device for liver resection: an experimental study in pigs

The aim of this experimental study was to verify a new semi-spherical surgical tool for bipolar radiofrequency liver ablation, which can solve some of the disadvantages of the commonly used device, such as long duration of ablation. A total of 12 pigs which were randomly divided into two groups were used. Each pig underwent resection of the two liver lobes. In group 1, pigs were treated with the commonly used device; in group 2 the newly developed semispherical device was used. During surgery and the post-surgical period, many categories were observed and later analyzed. The blood count and biochemistry were monitored on days 0, 14 and 30 from the operation. On day 14 since the liver resection, pigs underwent diagnostic laparoscopy to evaluate their condition focusing on the site of the liver lobe resection. On day 30 after operation, all pigs were euthanized and subjected to histopathological examination. Histopathological evaluation of thermal changes at the resection margin showed strong thermal alteration in both groups. Data between both groups were compared using median test for continuous variables and Fisher’s exact test for categorical variables. Statistical analyses were performed with IBM SPSS software version 18.0. Statistical analysis of collected data did not prove any significant (P < 0.05) differences between the commonly used device and the newly designed surgical tool.Web of Science84439

A novel labeling modality of intra-abdominal lesions with Magseed magnetic marker and extirpation by Sentimag probe navigation

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate our experience with the use of Magseed, the magnetic metallic marker, as a localization technique followed by Sentimag probe detection in patients with solitary intra-abdominal local metastases with subsequent resection of the lesions. METHODS: Five patients underwent resection after the lesion was marked with the Magseed magnetic marker. Prior to the surgery, a computed tomography scan of the chest and abdomen and/or positron emission tomography was performed to rule out the dissemination of the disease. The indication for surgery was evaluated in a meeting of a multidisciplinary team, and the placement of the magnetic marker under computed tomography control had been performed the day before the planned procedure. RESULTS: The present preliminary outcomes have revealed that Magseed might be a promising technique that is feasible and safe, particularly when the postsurgical anatomic conditions in the abdominal cavity are altered and the lesions are not visible or palpable. Surgical extirpation of lesions occurred without complications in each case. In all the cases, the resection was complete and curative, and one wound infection in all (20%), without any major complications, had occurred. The mean hospital stay was 6.6 days. CONCLUSION: Magseed utilization, as a localization technique, followed by Sentimag probe detection in intra-abdominal tumors has not been reported before. Improving the visualization and, consequently, the precise marking of the lesion with subsequent radical removal can prevent insufficient or excessive removal of healthy tissue, leading to a faster diagnosis and better overall clinical outcomes

IMPLEMENTATION CRM STRATEGY AS A TOOL FOR IMPROVING THE QUALITY IN TERMS OF RAIL TRANSPORT

Príspevok sa zaoberá koncepciou zavedenia stratégie CRM v podmienkach železničnej dopravy. V súčasnosti je dôležité hľadať príležitosti ako zvýšiť kvalitu poskytovaných služieb v železničnej doprave a prilákať zákazníkov. Jednou z možností ako dosiahnuť zlepšenie v kvalite poskytovaných služieb v oblasti železničnej dopravy môže byť zavedenie stratégie CRM do podniku.The paper deals with conception of introducing CRM strategy in terms of rail transport. In nowadays, it is important to find ways how to improve the quality of services on railways and attract customers. One of the ways how to achieve improvements in the quality of services on railways can be introducing CRM strategy in railway transport company

IMPLEMENTATION CRM STRATEGY AS A TOOL FOR IMPROVING THE QUALITY IN TERMS OF RAIL TRANSPORT

Príspevok sa zaoberá koncepciou zavedenia stratégie CRM v podmienkach železničnej dopravy. V súčasnosti je dôležité hľadať príležitosti ako zvýšiť kvalitu poskytovaných služieb v železničnej doprave a prilákať zákazníkov. Jednou z možností ako dosiahnuť zlepšenie v kvalite poskytovaných služieb v oblasti železničnej dopravy môže byť zavedenie stratégie CRM do podniku.The paper deals with conception of introducing CRM strategy in terms of rail transport. In nowadays, it is important to find ways how to improve the quality of services on railways and attract customers. One of the ways how to achieve improvements in the quality of services on railways can be introducing CRM strategy in railway transport company

Functional outcome of low rectal resection evaluated by anorectal manometry

Background: Low anterior resection syndrome (LARS) covers disordered bowel function after rectal resection, leading to deterioration in patients’ quality of life. The aim of this study was to evaluate anorectal function after laparoscopic low anterior resection (LAR) by means of standardized instruments. Methods: This was a prospective clinical cohort study conducted in a single institution to assess functional outcome of patients 1 year after laparoscopic LAR by means of LARS score and high-resolution anorectal manometry. Results: In total, 65 patients were enrolled in the study. Mean tumour height was 9.4 ± 1.8 cm; total mesorectal excision during laparoscopic LAR with low end-to-end colorectal anastomosis was performed in all patients. One year after the surgery, minor LARS was detected in 33.9% of patients, major LARS in 36.9% of patients. Anorectal manometry revealed decreased resting pressure and normal squeeze pressure of the anal sphincters in the majority of our patients. Rectal compliance and rectal volume tolerability (first sensation, urge to defaecate and discomfort volume) were significantly reduced. The statistical testing of the correlation between LARS and manometry parameters showed that with increasing seriousness of LARS, values of some parameters (resting pressure, first sensation, urge to defaecate, discomfort volume and rectal compliance) were reduced. Conclusion: This study indicates that the majority of patients after laparoscopic LAR experience symptoms of minor or major LARS. These patients have decreased resting anal sphincter pressures, decreased rectal volume tolerability and decreased rectal compliance. © 2017 Royal Australasian College of Surgeon

Laparoscopic or classic splenectomy?

Introduction: With current development of mini-invasive techniques, laparoscopic splenectomy also gained its place under the sun. The goal of this study is to compare the results of open and laparoscopic splenectomy performed at Clinic of Surgery of University Hospital Ostrava in the period 2010–2019. Materials and Methods: A retrospective cohort study during the period 2010–2019 were counted: an operation time, a need of blood transfusions, weight, complications and duration of hospital stay. A group of patients with laparoscopic operation was compared to a group with an open operation, using the t-test. Results: During the period 2010–2019, we performed 23 laparoscopic splenectomies and 15 classic operations. Unfortunately, the comparison of both groups is difficult. The splenic weight differs in both groups statistically significantly (P = 0.0001). The patients in the classic laparotomy group had much bigger spleens and in four cases, the splenectomy was performed together with metastasectomy of the liver, diaphragmatic resection and resection of the tale of pancreas. Even then the operative time was significantly shorter than the operative time of laparoscopic operation – the operative times differ in both groups statistically significantly (P = 0.0001). The need of blood transfusion and operative complications appear to be comparable in both techniques. The duration of hospital stay was shorter in the patients with laparoscopic operation. Conclusion: Laparoscopic splenectomy offers all the general benefits of mini-invasive operative techniques and is suitable method for patients undergoing elective splenectomy especially for spleens smaller than 20 cm in diameter. We consider portal hypertension and severe comorbidities of the patient to be a contraindication. It seems to us that the main problem of this method lies in a very small number of operated patients and thus in a limited possibility to obtain sufficient surgical erudition, which is probably the case of some complications and insufficient use of this method in practice. It is highly desirable to concentrate these services in the centers. © 2021 Galen s.r.o.. All rights reserved